Patriots’ Mack Hollins Arrives at Stadium Shirtless and Barefoot
No shoes, no shirt, but Mack Hollins is still making a statement.
The New England Patriots wide receiver arrived at a snowy Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, ahead of his team’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 14, donning only his pants in a rather unconventional pregame ensemble.
The Patriots showcased a photo of his outfit on social media, while the NFL shared a short clip on X.
Gillette Stadium experienced some overnight snowfall, with flurries expected during the game. The morning temperature was in the low 30s, with a drop into the 20s throughout the afternoon.
Hollins, 32, is in his first season with the Patriots after spending last year with the Bills. Now on the opposite side of the divisional rivalry, his pregame outfit might be a nod to the harsh winter conditions he faced in Buffalo.
During warm-ups, he maintained his shirtless look but added shoes to his ensemble.
Hollins is known for going barefoot before games, but opting to leave his feet bare on such a frigid day is a new venture for him.
In an August episode of the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Hollins confessed that “no matter what the temperature is,” he’ll go barefoot for his gameday entrances — except when it’s below 35 degrees.
It seems he may have overlooked the weather forecast for Sunday.
“It’s not even hard to go without shoes,” Hollins mentioned on the podcast. “If it drops below 35 — I’m not foolish, I’ll put shoes on — but I have to walk in barefoot, no matter what.”
He shared that he’s been entering games barefoot for the last three or four years, stemming from his training without shoes post-injury.
During his recovery, Hollins met a group of trainers from Australia who often trained barefoot, emphasizing a return to natural movement.
“That led to me training barefoot all the time,” he reflected.
“Three or four years ago, I thought, ‘What’s the point of wearing shoes?’ Now I don’t even pack them,” he admitted, mentioning he’ll wear something in bathrooms and airports.
This Sunday’s clash between the Patriots and the Bills is crucial for both teams, as New England has the opportunity to end Buffalo’s five-year reign as division champions.
A victory would mark the Patriots’ first AFC East title since 2019, when they won 11 consecutive division championships during the Tom Brady era.
At 11-2, the Patriots haven’t enjoyed this level of success since Brady, now 48, departed the team in 2020. A win on Sunday could enhance the team’s Super Bowl prospects.
Hollins is experiencing one of the best seasons of his career, with 440 yards and two touchdowns on 35 receptions over 13 games this season.
This isn’t the first occasion Hollins has drawn attention for his pregame style. After Halloween, he dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier, showcasing the full 1700s outfit — a tribute to the “Patriots Militia” fans who attend games in special attire.
